【Abstract】 Objective To investigate the feasibil ity of contralateral C7 nerve transfer via posterior spinal route fortreatment of brachial plexus root avulsion injury by anatomical study. Methods Ten cadaveric specimens of 7 men and3 women were selected, who had no obvious deformity and no tissue defect in neck neutral position. By simulating surgical exploration of brachial plexus injury, the length of contralateral C7 nerve root was elongated by dissecting its anterior and posterior divisions to the distal end, while the length of C7 nerve from the intervertebral foramen to the branching point and the length of the anterior and posterior divisions were measured. By simulating cervical posterior approach, the C7 vertebral plate and T1 spinous process were fully exposed; the hole was made near vertebral body; and the C7 nerve root lengths by posterior vertebra path to the contralateral upper trunk and lower trunk were measured. Results C7 nerve root length was (58.62 ± 8.70) mm; the length of C7 nerve root plus posterior or anterior division was (65.15 ± 9.11) mm and (70.03 ± 10.79) mm, respectively. By posterior spinal route, the distance was (72.12 ± 10.22) mm from the end of C7 nerve to the contralateral upper trunk of brachial plexus, and was (95.21 ± 12.50) mm to the contralateral lower trunk of brachial plexus. Conclusion Contralateral C7 nerve can be transferred to the contralateral side through posterior spinal route and it only needs short bridge nerve or no. The posterior spinal route can effectively prevent from neurovascular injury, so it might be the best surgery approach for the treatment of brachial plexus root avulsion injury.
ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility of the 3rd-6th intercostal nerve transfer to the suprascapular nerve for reconstruction of shoulder abduction. MethodsFifteen thoracic walls (30 sides) were collected from human cadavers. The 3rd-6th intercostal nerve length which can be dissected between the midaxillary line and midclavicular line, and the transfer distance between the midaxillary line and midpoint of the clavicular bone (prepared point for neurotization) were measured. ResultsIn 30 sides of specimens, the 3rd and 4th intercostal nerves could be obtained between the midaxillary line and midclavicular line, the available length of which was significantly greater than the transfer distance (P lt; 0.01). Six sides of the 5th intercostal nerve and 16 sides of 6th intercostal nerve were covered by the costal cartilage before reaching the midclavicular line. The available length of the 5th intercostal nerve was similar to the transfer distance (P gt; 0.01), while the available length of the 6th intercostal nerve was significantly less than transfer distance (P lt; 0.01). The suprascapular nerve could be dissociated and turned to the clavicular bone of more than 2 cm. The whole length of the available 5th intercostal nerve length and the turning length (2 cm) of suprascapular nerve was significantly greater than the transfer distance (P lt; 0.01), but for the 6th intercostal nerve, the whole length was still less than transfer distance (P lt; 0.01). ConclusionIt could be an alternative method to use the 3rd, 4th, and 5th intercostal nerve transfer to the suprascapular nerve for reconstruction of shoulder abduction. And for the 6th intercostal nerve, longer dissociated length may be required for direct coaptation or using a graft for nerve repair.
Objective To investigate the surgical techniques and effectiveness for reconstruction of severe full-thickness chest wall defects. Methods Between January 2006 and December 2010, 14 patients with full-thickness chest wall defects were treated, including 12 cases caused by giant chest wall mal ignant tumor excision, 1 case by thermocompression injury, and 1 case by radiation necrosis. There were 8 males and 6 females with an average age of 42 years (range，23-65 years). The size of chest wall defects ranged from 8 cm × 5 cm to 26 cm × 14 cm. All patients compl icated by rib defect (1-5 ribs), and 3 cases by sternum defect. Thoracic skeleton reconstruction was performed with Vicryl mesh or polytetrafluroethylene mesh in 10 patients. Other 4 patients did not undergo thoracic skeleton reconstruction. The bilobed skin flaps, pectoral is major myocutaneous flap, latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, and rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap were util ized for repairing soft tissue defects. The size of the dissected flaps ranged from 10 cm × 7 cm to 25 cm × 13 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly or were repaired by free skin graft. Results Poor heal ing of incision occurred in 2 cases, which was cured after debridement, myocutaneous flap transfer, and skin graft. The other wounds healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6-36 months (mean, 8 months). No tumor recurrence during follow-up, except 1 patient with osteosarcoma who died of l iver matastasis at 6 months after operation. Transient sl ight paradoxical respiration occurred in 1 patient who did not undergo thoracic skeleton reconstruction at 5 days after operation. Integrity of chest wall in other patients was restored without paradoxical respiration and dyspnea. Conclusion Depending on the cause, the size, and the location of defect, single or combination flaps could be used to repair soft tissue defect, and thoracic skeleton reconstruction should be performed when defect is severe by means of syntheticmaterials.
Objective To investigate the results of two stage multiple nerves transfer for treatment of complete brachial plexus root avulsion. Methods Eight patients with complete brachial plexus avulsion, aging 18-38 years andwith a mean 6 months interval of injury and repair, were surgically treated with the following procedures. One stage surgical procedure was that the contralateral C7 never root was transferred to the ulnar nerve, the phrenic nerve to theanterior division of upper trunci plexus brachialis and the accessory nerve to the suprascapular nerve. Two stage surgical procedure was that the ulnar nerve was transferredto the median nerve , the intercostal nerves to the radial nerve and the thoracodorsal nerve. Results All patients were followed upfrom 13 months to 25 months(21 months on average), muscle reinnervation was observed in all patients. Return of muscle power of M3 or better are regarded as effective. The effective recovery results were 75% in musculocutaneous nerve, 37.5% in suprascapular nerve, 37.5% in radial nerve, 75% in thoracodorsal nerve and 62.5% in median nerve. In sensory recovery of the median nerve, 4 patients obtained S3, 3 patients S2 and 1 patient S1. Conclusion Two stage multiple nerves transfer for treatment of root avulsion of brachial plexus can achieve better motor function results and is safe and effective. The procedure should be recommended for treatmentof root avulsion of brachial plexus in selected patients with complete brachial plexus root avulsion, especially in young patients with a short interval between injury and repair. It isone of the alternative options.
Objective To compare the effects and indications of total hip replacement(THR) and transplantation of vascularized bone graft in treating late ischemic necrosis of the femoral head.Methods From March 1986 to March 1993, 81 patients with late ischemic necrosis underwent treatment. Of 81 patients, 59 patients who suffered in unilateral hip were divided into 2 groups: 26 underwent total hip replacement and 33 underwent transplantation of vascularized bone graft. There was no significant difference in the Harris-scores of the two groups before operations (Pgt;0.05). The Harris hip scores were compared between different ages(＜30 years, 31.50 years, and ＞51 years) in two groups. Results The follow-up ranged from 10 years and 3 months to 16 years and 5 months (15 years and two months on average). The changes of Harrisscores of the two groups after operations had significant difference in initial stage（Plt;0.05）,but had no significant difference in the long term（Pgt;0.05）. The change of Harris-scores of patients who underwent total hip replacement had no significant difference between different ages （Pgt;0.05），but that of patients who underwent transplantation of vascularized bone graft had significant difference between different ages（Plt;0.05）. Both groupshad satisfactory effects in treating late ischemic necrosis of the femoral head. Conclusion Both methods are effective in treating late ischemic necrosis of the femoral head. Total hip replacement can be more effective insenior patients. Transplantation of vascularized bone can be more effective in young patients.
Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of the vacularized iliac graft for ischemic necrosis of the femoral head in Niger young patients with sickle cell disease. Methods From November 1998 to Apirl 2001, 12 patients (5 males and 7 females, aging 11-22 years) with sickle cell disease suffered from ischemic necrosis of the femora! head in 14 hips. The lesion was on one hip in 10 patients and on bilateral hip in 2 patients. Necrosis was classified as Ficat Stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ in all patients. Twelve hips in 12...
Objective To compare the long-term results andpossible complications of a modified temporalis muscle transfer(TMT) with the Johnson’s procedure in correction of paralytic lagophthalmos.Methods FromSeptember 1997 to March 2000, paralytic lagophthalmos due to leprosy in 92 patients were corrected with TMT. The 89 cases (127 to eyes including 51 unilateral and 38 bilateral) followed up 3 years after operation were analyzed. There were 69 males and 20 females with ages ranging from 18 to 65 years (52 years on average). The duration of lagophthalmos was 1-22 years with an average of 8.2 years.And 36 eyes were complicated with lower eyelid ectropion. Sixtyfive eyes were corrected with Johnson’s procedure(Johnson’s TMT group), 62 with the modified TMT procedure (modified TMT group). The modifications were as follows: ① omitting the fascial strip in the lower eyelid to avoid postoperative ectropion. ② fixing the fascial strip of the upper eyelid to the middle or inner margin of the tarsal palate depending on the degree of the lagophthalmos to avoid possible ptosis of the upper eyelid. Results In Johnson’s TMT group, the mean lid gap on light closure was reduced to 3.1 mm postoperatively from 7.7 mm preoperatively; and the mean lid gap on tight closure was reduced to 0.5 mm postoperatively from 6.1 mm preoperatively. The symptoms of redness (73.7%) and tearing(63.7%) disappeared or were improved postoperatively. However, ectropion and ptosis occurred in 24 eyes and 9 eyes respectively. The overall excellent and goodrate was 58.5%. In the modified TMT group, the mean lid gap on light closure was reduced to 3.3 mm postoperatively from 7.5 mm preoperatively; and the mean lidgap on tight closure was reduced to 0.6 mm postoperatively from 6.3 mm preoperatively. The symptoms of redness (90.9%) and tearing (71.0%) disappeared or wereimproved postoperatively, and no ectropion or ptosis was found except one ectropion. The overall excellent and good rate was 87.1%, which was significantly higher than that of Johnson’s group(Plt;0.01). Conclusion The modified TMT is an efficiency and simple procedure with very few complications, and thus is bly recommended for use when TMT is an indication.
BJECTIVE: To study the effect of transposition of great adductor muscular tendon pedicled vessels in repairing the medial collateral ligament defect of knee joint. METHODS: From September 1991 to September 1999, on the basis study of applied anatomy, 30 patients with the medial collateral ligament defect were repaired with great adductor muscular tendon transposition pedicled vessels. Among them, there were 28 males and 2 females, aged 26 years in average. RESULTS: Followed up for 17 to 60 months, 93.3% patients reached excellent or good grades. No case fell into the poor grade. CONCLUSION: Because the great adductor muscular tendon is adjacent to the knee joint and similar to the knee ligament, it is appropriate to repair knee ligament. Transposition of the great adductor muscular tendon pedicled vessels is effective in the reconstruction of the medial collateral ligament defect of knee joint.
OBJECTIVE: To provide a series of surgical approaches for treatment of talus neck fracture, ischemic necrosis of talus body, and other bone lesions in ankle and foot. METHODS: The major blood supply to cuboid bone, medial cuneiform bone and navicular bone was observed in 30 adult cadavers, by infiltration of red emulsion via major arteries of the lower limbs. Based on these anatomical investigations, 3 types of vascularized tarsal bone grafting were designed for repair of bone lesions in the area of ankle and foot, and applied in 49 clinical cases, ranging from 10 to 58 years in age, and 43 cases of which were followed up for 4 years and 3 months in average. RESULTS: Primary healing was achieved in 40 cases, and secondary healing achieved after further surgical intervention in other 3 cases. The function of all ankle joints recovered satisfactorily. CONCLUSION: The designed three types of vascularized tarsal bone flaps are easy and reliable for dissection because of their superficial pedicles, and they are available for different clinical cases with various bone lesions in ankle and foot.